Markets Slide on Weak Retail Sales Data

Retail data dominate this morning's headlines, which are weak for the most part.  The slumping housing market and rising energy costs were cited as reasons that led consumers to cut back.

The world's largest retailer Wal-Mart (WMT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) posted a rare 3.5% drop in same-store sales for April.  Teen apparel maker Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reported a 15% drop in same-store sales for April. 

Dow Chemical (DOW | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) raised its quarterly dividend by 12% to $0.42 per share. 

Sara Lee (SLE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), a leading maker of food and household products, reported third quarter profits that nearly tripled the same period last year.  SLE reported $3.01 billion in sales.  Increases in international beverage and bakery sales helped lift earnings.. 

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Today's PowerRatings Heat Map remains on the bearish side as the market continues to hold near highs.  Taking long positions at this point in the market may hold more risk.  The weakest sectors today are Transportation, Metals/Mining, Manufacturing, and Energy.  Let's take a closer look at the Metals and Mining sector:

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